Have you ever wondered how some of your friends traveling or living abroad are able to watch the same shows you do? It’s as easy as getting an app. There are a number of apps on the market that give you a VPN to accomplish this. Amazon makes it easier than ever to stay connected to the content you know and love. If you have access to an app store, chances are you will be able to get a VPN. Whether you have Android or iOS, there are options that are available for everyone.
If you’re looking for a VPN for Amazon Fire TV Stick, there are quite a few options on the market. One of the most affordable and portable devices, you can watch all your favorite shows and more with on-demand video from Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix and a host of others. If you have particular things to watch, you may not be able to because of broadcast rights.
What exactly is a VPN?
A VPN is a virtual private network, which encrypts your internet connection, and routes it through an intermediary server to change your IP address. This allows the user to access content that would have ordinarily been locked in your particular region. A VPN makes it seem like you are in your home country watching television under your account rather than being in another region. In essence, it mirrors what you would watch at home, giving you access to your account and shows without worry of being blocked by the host country.
Why would you want to use a VPN instead of going through your provider?
In many instances, if you are living abroad or traveling, you cannot access the content from your stateside provider. The host country or region recognizes you are abroad and will lock the content from viewing. A VPN sidesteps these geo-blocks, giving you an opportunity to watch television like you are still at home. Additionally, some providers are blocked from sharing their content in certain regions and countries. A VPN keeps your privacy without interference.
If you travel a lot, a VPN is one of the solutions to ensuring you don’t miss your shows. Here are some of the top VPN apps on the market that could help you feel a lot closer to home:
- IPVanish
This is a very popular option for individuals who use Kodi. You’ll watch your programs with unlimited bandwidth and data to view in HD video. You don’t have to log in, and the system is fully encrypted to keep your information away from prying eyes … like your internet service provider. You can find the app on Amazon’s official app store. It is also user-friendly and compatible with your remote control.
- CyberGhost
With CyberGhost, you choose the server based on which streaming service you desire. This helps in unblocking Netflix and other streamed services. There is a no logging on policy, and has servers in more than 60 countries. You can use this app on Windows, Android, MacOS and iOS. The app is available on Amazon. This is a very popular option.
- PrivateVPN
You can download this app directly from the Amazon store to your Firestick. This app is not as well known as some others, but it gets the job done. This app has a no-logging policy and you can have up to six connections at one time. You can watch unblocked content from Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Netflix and more.
- ExpressVPN
If you’re looking for high standards in security and speed, ExpressVPN is a great option. With servers in over 90 countries, you can access Hulu and Netflix U.S. from outside of the United States. The app is accessible through the app store, and the television can be controlled from your standard remote control. Additional options include the ability to purchase a pre-configured router, or you can get a subscription to MediaStreamer, their DNS proxy solution.
- Windscribe
A very easy solution that offers simultaneous connections and very fast speeds. You can watch U.S. Netflix and other video sites in other countries. This app also allows torrenting and can be watched in China. The app is available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and extensions on the following browsers: Firefox, Chrome and Opera.
I have the app, now what?
It is very easy to use a Firestick VPN app. Just download, install, establish a login and password, and connect. As long as you have the app, you should be able to access your content without any issues. If you are having problems with installing or accessing the app, check the edition of your Fire TV Stick. First edition Fire TV Sticks are not compatible with VPN apps.
Tips and Tricks to using your VPN
There are certain things you can do to ensure you can unlock the blocked content. First, you can change the time zone. Here’s how you can do it:
- On your home menu, select Settings.
- Select System and Time Zone
- Select Time Zone and choose the time zone for your country.
Certain shows and content you may want to watch will require you to change the information on your Amazon account. This requires a change of country. This is how it’s done:
- Log into your Amazon account.
- Click Manage your content and devices.
- Hit the Settings tab.
- Look at Country settings. Click Change.
- Make sure you enter your U.S. address. If you do not know your exact location, Google a nearby location where you can get the exact address.
- Click Update and verify everything was saved.
Getting to watch your shows and other content while traveling can help you feel closer to home and you can also change your Prime location to access content when you travel. By utilizing one or all of these apps, you will be able to stay connected. It is best to try out each one of the apps to see which one would work best for your particular situation. Free of charge, this is one more way you can “cut the cord” while traveling.